Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, November 10, 2025, 3:01 p.m. / Updated Monday, November 10, 2025, 3:02 p.m.
After the 0-2 defeat in Bologna, Napoli coach Antonio Conte is worried: “We have not been able to change this trend for four months. Past experience teaches us: after the third Scudetto, Napoli finished in tenth place.”
The failure in Bologna was for champions Napoli their third in Serie A since the start of the season, but their fifth in all competitions. What coach Antonio Conte doesn't like, as the past of this club shows that the team is on a downward trend after a title won.
Antonio Conte warns: 'Napoli finished 10th after third title'
“If you lose five games, something is wrong. Something has to be done, because I don't want to be around someone dying. I'm the first to take responsibility. I don't see any chemistry, everyone is thinking about their own problem. Heart transplants are not possible. Each of us must rediscover our spirit, our heart, our determination.
Things can be done, but we have to see how they are done. It's one thing to do your homework, it's another to play in a team with very high expectations. Everyone thinks of their own garden, I've seen it before. We mustn't forget that after the third Scudetto, Napoli finished in tenth place, but I don't think that taught us much,” Conte commented, referring to what happened after the 2022-2023 triumph.
Antonio Conte attacks players: “We don't have the energy we had last season”
Then the Italian technician turned to the players: “Last year we did something extraordinary and of absolute value, now we continue to work, but we have to ask ourselves how. If there is the right enthusiasm and desire or if we enjoy the past victories and think…'We are the best.'We are favourites”.
We certainly don't have the energy we had last season and the boys know very well how I feel about that. I'm disappointed that I haven't been able to change this trend in the last four months, because it means either I'm not doing a good job or someone doesn't want to hear it.”
Antonio Conte: “Bologna's attitude should make us reflect”
Conte gave the example of the opponent: “Bologna definitely had more energy in all aspects, and that is exactly what is disappointing to see: there was more desire and enthusiasm. It should make us think, because it is the fifth defeat of the season.
It means doing some reflection, and we've already done some. They played on Thursday, by the way, and they looked poisoned. We, on the other hand, did our homework until we equalized, then we relaxed. We have to have a different energy than we've seen since the beginning of the season.”
